MEMORIAL DAY 2005
I. BRING TO REMEMBRANCE
De 32:7 Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.
The youth have not seen all that their elders have seen. The stories must be told them over and over again. God did not want Israel to forget the miracles he performed in delivering them from Egypt, the crossing of the Red Sea and Jordan and from their enemies at many other times. He did not want them to forget Him!
A. REMEMBER YOUR DELIVERANCE FROM EGYPT (SIN)
Ex 13:3 And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.
The celebration of the Passover was to remind them annually of their deliverance from Egypt.De 7:18 Thou shalt not be afraid of them: but shalt well remember what the LORD thy God did unto Pharaoh, and unto all Egypt;
De 15:15 And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing to day.
They were not to fear the enemies that God had defeated for them, but they were to remember His deliverance, instead. The Passover was a constant reminder from generation to generation.
B. REMEMBER HIS GUIDANCE AND PROTECTION
De 8:2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.
The wilderness journey was to prove whether or not they would serve the LORD. Though it was a time of testing, yet God provided for their every need. They must remember how He cared for them even in the wilderness.
C. REMEMBER HIS PROVISION
De 8:18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.
If the world resents the Jew for his ability to make money, they must remember that God gave him this special ability. They have been persecuted beyond what any other nation has ever been, and without special skills and abilities, they would become extinct. If we follow God’s rules, we too, may gain wealth. You do not accumulate wealth by wasteful spending, but by frugal saving!
If we tithe, God has promised to open the windows of heaven and pour out blessings upon us.
Jos 1:13 Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, The LORD your God hath given you rest, and hath given you this land.
Peace is one of the most blest gifts anyone can receive. If we keep His word, God has promised to make our neighbors to be at peace with us.
Le 26:6 And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land.
Nu 6:26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
II. FOR A MEMORIAL BEFORE GOD
Ex 12:14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.
Ex. 12:17 And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever.
The feast of unleavened bread, the Passover feast, was to be observed from generation to generation, forever. It celebrated God’s deliverance from Egyptian bondage. In reality, Israel became a nation that day.
Jos 4:7 Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.
As they journeyed on toward the promised land, God ordered them to set up other markers where His hand effected their deliverance and prospered them on their way. Crossing of the Jordan was a significant miracle in their journey. God wanted them to memorialize it for the generations to come.
Mr 14:9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.
A poor woman anointed Jesus’ feet, and she was ridiculed for it. Some thought it was a waste of precious ointment. Jesus knew that it was for his burial. He came to the woman’s defense, and memorialized her for it. There are no insignificant deeds done for the LORD!
Ac 10:4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
Cornelius had fasted and prayed. When God sent an angel telling him what to do, Cornelius was filled with wonder. The angel instructed him what he was to do, and through faith, he obeyed to the saving of his house. This was the gentile pentecost. Though it did not represent 50 days of anything, yet the Holy Ghost was given to a gentile house church and to the gentile world.
III. REMEMBER THE SACRIFICE OF OTHERS
A. YOUR MOTHER AND YOUR FATHER
Ex 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
We should remember our parents with honor. God has promised long life to those who do. Our parents may seem to be out of touch with reality to us, but God knew that the experience of the aged had wisdom not gained otherwise.
Pr 6:20 My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
Pr 23:22 Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.
The word of both the father and the mother should have equal weight with us. The father may have physical strength to enforce his word, but though the mother may lack physical strength, her authority should nevertheless be respected.
Pr 23:25 Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.
A parent’s pleasure in their offspring is based on how well they have met their expectations of them. A father and a mother are pleased when a young man or a young woman grow up to be honest and upright. All other accomplishments are overshadowed by qualities of virtue or lack thereof.
B. YOUR FELLOW COUNTRYMEN IN SERVICE
Ro 13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
It is our duty to pay tribute to those who have put their lives on the line for the principles we hold dear. Our American service personnel have made us proud to be Americans. We should thank them upon every occasion to do so. They should get messages of support from people back home continually.
